Thinking of renovating your kitchen or bathroom? Or starting from scratch in your brand new home?

Finding a specialist kitchen and/or bathroom designer will put you on the right track and will make planning the perfect kitchen or bathroom a lot less stressful. It’s a big investment you’re making, for rooms you will be using every day. Read on to find out how to find a designer that is right for you…

How do I choose a Kitchen or Bathroom Designer?

The Kitchen…
Whether you’re a connoisseur of cookery, an on-the run-Mum, an entertainer or a coffee and cake type, chances are you’ll find yourself in your kitchen more than once a day. The dictionary describes the kitchen as “a room used for cooking”, but for most people today, that definition simply doesn’t cut it. It may be the family hub - the place where everyone gathers for at least breakfast, in the hustle and bustle mayhem that mornings can sometimes be. It may double up as an office - with laptops and mobiles being a huge part of our work, the kitchen bench is often the most convenient place to be. Or for the entertainers - do guests always mill around your kitchen, pre-dinner drinks in hand, while you, complete your dinner delights? However you would define a kitchen, your designer needs to accommodate your needs, and take into consideration not just the look of the kitchen (which is highly important, too), but what you need your kitchen to be.

A good kitchen designer will consider the following points:

• a kitchen is rarely a “room” and is more often than not very much a part of the living/dining areas, or the outdoor entertaining area. Whether renovating or building new, all adjoining areas should be taken into consideration - not just the walls that define the space. A site visit is imperative.
• do the Clients have any physical restrictions or safety concerns: will access to an underbench oven be difficult? Will overhead cupboards be within reach? Will toddlers be in the kitchen?
• what sort of cooking is preferred? Are most meals prepared on the stovetop, baked in the oven or reheated in the microwave? Is space required for a slow cooker, deep fryer or bread machine?
• storage requirements should be carefully assessed. Is shopping done in bulk? Will a new fridge be required now, or allowed for in the future?

These considerations should be the designer’s starting point. At the same time, a valuable designer will also:

• be well aware of the innovative hardware available in the market, and advise of systems most appropriate for the project and for you.
• have a high understanding of the practicalities (or otherwise) of particular surfaces and materials, and impart this information clearly.
• show evidence of continuing professional development - this is an industry which is ever evolving and a commitment to ongoing training and product research is essential. Building Codes and contractual requirements change, appliances and materials are continually being developed, and trends come and go – ensure your designer is keeping the pace.

The Bathroom…
Much like a kitchen, your definition of a bathroom may be very different to your neighbour’s. To some, it is the ultimate retreat - a place to seek solace and soak away the worries of the day. To others, it is somewhat like Central Station – churning out the family one-by-one as each prepares for the day ahead. Some prefer the bathroom to be minimalistic; others seek solutions to a storage crisis and have cupboard space high on the list of priorities. It must always be easy to clean, and a safe place to be.

The best bathroom designers will:

• assess your family’s requirements - no point having a stunning bathroom if it does not accommodate its users.
• pay great attention to waterproofing, drainage, falls to floor wastes etc, and have an excellent understanding of the relevant Building Codes
• advise on suitability/availability of products - tiles, stone, laminate, glass - a myriad of materials can be worked into a successful bathroom design, but they must be practical in their application.
• like the kitchen designer, show commitment to continuing professional development – Codes are amended, tapware and other sanitaryware improve, and of course, trends evolve, and your designer should be keeping abreast of these changes.

Article written by Selina Zwolsman (KBDi Designer Member)